A LAWMAKER has demanded that owners of a tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel that sank off Oriental Mindoro and caused an oil spill be held accountable for damaging the country’s vital resources.

“Kailangang mapanagot ang mga may-ari ng MT Princess Empress. Mahahalagang protected area ang nasa panganib dahil sa oil spill, kaya’t kailangang maghabol ang pamahalaan para sa containment, cleanup, at rehabilitation ng mga maaapektuhang area,” AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee said.

Lee said that besides its adverse impact on the environment, the oil spill would affect the livelihood of fishermen working on the contaminated areas.

“Manganganib ang kabuhayan ng maraming mangingisda sa Mindoro at sa iba pang lalawigan na nakapalibot sa kontaminadong dagat.”

“Sa panahon na pahirap nang pahirap ang buhay, gutom ang aabutin ng pamilya ng mga ito kung hindi sila makakapagtrabaho,” Lee said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco